Halo was absent from the Xbox showcase due to an abundance of new games, says Phil Spencer

Halo Infinite was noticeably absent from the recent Xbox showcase, prompting Xbox head Phil Spencer to explain why.

It is evident that Halo has experienced a slight decline in recent years, which has been further exacerbated by the struggles of Halo Infinite since its launch. However, it remains a significant pillar for Xbox. Therefore, it seemed peculiar that there was no mention or reminder of the game’s existence, especially considering that Season 4 is set to launch next week. In an interview with The Guardian, Spencer shed light on the matter, explaining that Xbox now has a plethora of games to showcase.

“I wouldn’t say Halo is of lesser importance, but we now have over 20 studios,” Spencer explained. “If I think back to the years when there were only four games – Fable, Forza, Halo, Gears, the four horsemen of the apocalypse – we have expanded our game library significantly.” It is true that the recent showcase demonstrated the collective output of the studios Xbox has acquired in recent years, even if not all of their games are slated for release this year.

“We have been transparent about the leadership change at 343 Industries,” added Spencer. “You can see some of the team’s focus on the ongoing seasons, but I don’t want to pressure them into discussing their long-term vision before they are ready. Trust me, they have some exciting things in store.”

It is understandable that 343 Industries is cautious about revealing unfinished work. However, it is worth noting that the trailer for Season 4 of Halo Infinite was released a few days ago, just about a week after the showcase. It remains a perplexing choice to exclude one of Xbox’s flagship titles. One cannot help but question whether this signals the end of the Halo franchise.